“The doctor has been casting recovery spells on me all day. So, I recovered quickly, and the injuries weren’t severe, so I’m fine.”

Ban blinked with a bewildered expression. Then he laughed as if he was astonished.

“I really can’t tell if you’re a genius or an idiot.”

“?”

“Do you remember the situation when you used magic?”

“…Not at all.”

“That’s why you say such stupid things.”

While licking his lips, he put a peeled tangerine into his mouth.

“But still, looking at your monstrous recovery, are you closer to being a genius than an idiot?”

“?

“No, why do you keep calling our Riley an idiot? Riley isn’t an idiot, right?”

“He’s an idiot, but an idiotic genius. Something like that.”

“If you’re a genius, you’re a genius. What’s this about being a genius while being an idiot?”

“Well, that’s how it is.”

Hila stared at Ban as if she was scrutinizing him, then suddenly clapped her hands as if she realized something.

“Could it be that? That wanting to tease when you like someone! It’s something like what a kindergartener would do.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Can’t you be a bit kinder? Riley was worried about the senior all the time he was here. Do you know how sorry he feels? But you keep being rude, calling him an idiot and all! What are you doing?”

“And you? Aren’t you sorry to me?”

“I am a little sorry. But not much! Anyway, helping Riley was the senior’s decision!”

“Right. So don’t do anything stupid that would lead to your death. It’s my self-inflicted problem.”

“…Still, you got involved in my affairs.”

“When has it never been like that?”

Ban seemed to lose his appetite, or maybe he just placed the fruit basket on the nearby shelf and lay down. And for some reason, Hila looked at that Ban pitifully. Probably because she had found out about Riley’s existence as Ban’s husband.
Hila, who was briefly contemplating, ended up falling in love with a married woman and decided to discreetly leave the place for the sake of the pitiful Ban.

“I’ll quickly go to the restroom; my stomach hurts, probably something I ate.”

As Hila left, Ban, as if waiting, asked Riley.

“Did you catch that guy?”

“…No.”

“He wasn’t an ordinary guy.”

“I know.”

“Not only him, but from now on, all enemies of Given Rianster will target you. It’s more efficient to target weaknesses than to touch the main body and weaken its strength.”

“…”

“How about breaking up?”

Surprised by Ban’s words, Riley, who had been bowing his head, lifted it abruptly.

“No, can you handle it? You.”

“…”

“Horizon’s Matapju is not a man you can handle. Do you have the confidence to endure whenever something worse than that happens? This is what I’m saying for your sake. You might really die if you continue like this.”

Riley couldn’t say anything.

It struck a nerve.

Dealing with the existence of Given Rianster is certainly a burdensome task. No matter how careful you are, it’s impossible to completely avoid danger as long as there are those who intentionally target you.

Becoming prey to numerous enemies, whether by accident or becoming a good source of food for them, will most likely happen. It’s especially bitter and infuriating to be a burden, not to someone’s power, but to a burden that becomes Given’s. Not to anyone else, but Given’s burden, even though it’s not something one would want to be, it’s realistic to be in a situation where it can’t be helped. Because he’s weak, because he’s incompetent.

“If you keep staying by that man’s side, you’re really in big trouble. Do you think that man has only one or two enemies? And you… if you get married, the high-nosed aristocrats here might begrudgingly acknowledge it.”
“…Are you planning to run away?”

“I told you to run away; does breaking up mean running away?”

“For me, it’s the same thing.”

Riley smiled bitterly while clenching her fist.

“I know. Because of my incompetence, being a powerless woman from a mixed Korean-American family, I’m just a person catching his ankle.”

“I didn’t mean it that way.”

“I know. I’m horrified and uncomfortable being a burden to him, but still, I won’t leave Given’s side by my own will.”

“…”

“If it’s his will, well, I don’t have the decision-making power to end this relationship.”

“…What a nonsensical excuse?”

“And, above all, I don’t want to leave. Being his burden and catching his ankle, I still don’t want to leave. This is an unavoidable sincerity.”

Even if Given Rianster is said to be a dangerous man, it doesn’t matter. Regardless of whatever dangers may arise in the future, even if she loses her life in the process, she had already prepared herself to embrace all those risks and situations.

Her current life was that good.

Given Rianster was good.

She was happy being by his side. She didn’t want to lose this current happiness. She didn’t want to ruin it.

She wanted to continue maintaining her current daily life, life, time, and relationship.

“I’m a selfish materialistic person. I only know myself. I prioritize being happy. I don’t want to live unhappily anymore. So please, don’t leave. Without Given, I’ll be much more unhappy.”

“…”

“So, I’ll live even more diligently. Study harder, learn magic harder… I’ll do my best not to become a burden to him. Even if that means holding onto him like an obsession. As long as he doesn’t abandon me, I’ll hold onto him like an evil spirit. No matter what anyone says, I’ll never let go.”

“…”

“I appreciate your concern, but I can’t accept that.”

While contemplating Riley’s words, Ban realized something.

The relationship he initially considered as an unfit combination seemed to be more serious and twisted in a strange direction than he thought.

It might be a more bizarre relationship than he initially imagined.

Ban, feeling a bitter sensation from Riley’s firm and resolute response, said, “Fine, do as you wish.”

Anyway, it didn’t matter what someone who decided to keep their distance would do. It was an unnecessary overreaction and concern.

It was a waste of feelings for someone who shouldn’t be involved any further. Since this assistance would be the last.

“Don’t get involved anymore.”

Before it becomes irreversible.